Friday afternoon, Beinfest sent out a text message to media members informing him owner Jeffrey Loria had fired him.

For the second consecutive season reports surfaced of Beinfest's job being in jeopardy. Earlier this week on his weekly radio segment, Beinfest admitted the rumors were affecting him and his family. It reached a boiling point in recent weeks, prompting him to approach Loria about making a determination on his status one way or the other.

In his statement, Beinfest said: "I want to thank the Marlins for the opportunity. I look back positively at tackling numerous challenges, opening a new ballpark and enjoying a World Series Championship. I worked with some tremendous players and staff in Miami and appreciate their friendship and professional respect.

"I look forward to continuing my career in the near future."

Though at the ballpark, Loria did not address the media before, during or after his team's 3-2 win ove the Tigers Friday. The Marlins are back to 40-under .500 at 60-100.

He released a statement that in part read: “Effective immediately, I have relieved Larry Beinfest of his duties so that he may pursue other opportunities. Larry has worked with me for 13 years, making huge contributions to our efforts and serving as a partner to me in the process. I wish him nothing but the best and know he will make a great addition wherever he lands."

Loria in his statement added that Jim Fleming, Beinfest’s special assistant and the club’s former vice president of scouting and player development, also was dismissed. Like Beinfest, Fleming has two years remaining on his contract as well.

“I will soon be making further announcements in terms of our new structure in baseball operations,” Loria said, in his statement.

Multiple media outlets have reported vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager Dan Jennings will assume the department reigns. That wouldn’t go over well with current general manager Michael Hill, who a source said wouldn’t stand for Jennings leapfrogging him in the organization’s power structure.

Nothing requires the Marlins to have a president of baseball operations. The front office theoretically could function as is, especially considering Loria appears to be making most if not all personnel decisions anyway.

Manager Mike Redmond did not learn of Beinfest’s firing until he came out on the field for batting practice. He didn’t make anything beyond cursory comments, saying he wanted to speak with Loria and Beinfest first.

“Being around the game as long as I have and playing, I’ve been through this scenario before where change happens, whether it be a manager or general manager,” Redmond said. “You obviously don’t like to see it, but at the same time it’s part of the game and you have to be able to go forward.”

Loria when he owned the Montreal Expos promoted Beinfest to interim general manager in Oct. 2001. When he purchased the Marlins, Loria brought Beinfest with him to be the organization's second ever general manager.

Beinfest, who Loria promoted to President of Baseball Operations in Sept. 2007, had been with the organization 12 years.

The dismissal probably had more to do with Beinfest’s deteriorating relationship with Loria than because of any specific moves or team performance shortcomings the last two seasons.

San Francisco-based agent Matt Sosnick has negotiated several deals with the Beinfest-led Marlins’ front office and lamented the dismissals.

“It seems well within the Marlins’ brand development strategy to take two of the most intelligent, respected baseball minds in the league, two of the more moral guys, and ask them to leave with two years left on their contracts,” Sosnick said. “Larry’s not the most social guy in the world and he would probably be the first person to admit it, but that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s honest and he’s honorable, and he does what he says he’s going to do.

“No matter what other people inside the organization, how they want to pat themselves on the back, he was very significant in bringing not only the World Series to Florida but very competitive teams in almost impossible situations. I don’t think he’ll ever get the kind of credit he deserves.”